an acute realisation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acute realisation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a sudden and clear understanding or awareness of something significant. Example: "After weeks of contemplation, she had an acute realisation about her true feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While it is still too early to call time on the Ebola outbreak, a sense that the worst may have passed is tentatively taking root in west Africa, alongside an acute realisation of the need to ensure a positive long-term legacy for battered healthcare systems.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cancer is largely regarded and treated within an acute illness framework and the realisation for the individual that there are chronic changes associated with cancer, and its treatment may bring about new challenges.

British Journal of Cancer

If an acute spike in transphobia, racism and bigotry has brought about the realisation that progress can be undone overnight, we should probably all harness that realisation, swallow our hypocrisies and do what our leaders, our police force, our newspapers and our TV stations are failing to do: champion political correctness, all jokes aside.

Vice

Mumps is an acute viral illness.

The New York Times

This is an acute problem in Richmond.

The New Yorker

I have an acute sense of smell.

The New Yorker

streaming — an acute sense of bandwidth despair.

TechCrunch

She is an acute listener.

Huffington Post

Funding remains an acute constraint.

Unicef

"This is an acute emergency".

Unicef

Never stretch an acute injury.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an acute realisation" to emphasize a sudden, intense understanding of a situation or truth. It's stronger than a simple realization.

Common error

Avoid using "an acute realisation" when a simpler "realisation" suffices. Reserve it for moments of profound or sudden understanding, otherwise it can sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute realisation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'acute' modifies 'realisation'. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, indicating the moment of understanding or awareness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acute realisation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden and intense understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, lending emphasis to the moment of understanding. While synonyms like "sudden awareness" and "sharp understanding" exist, "an acute realisation" suggests a particularly profound or impactful insight. Use it to add depth and intensity to your writing when depicting a character's or your own, sudden enlightenment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharp understanding

Highlights the clarity and precision of the comprehension.

a clear comprehension

Focuses on the ease and completeness of understanding.

a sudden awareness

Focuses on the abruptness of the understanding, minimizing the intensity.

a profound insight

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the understanding.

a dawning realisation

Implies a gradual unfolding of understanding, rather than a sudden one.

a penetrating insight

Stresses the depth and thoroughness of the understanding, implying it goes beyond the superficial.

a keen perception

Stresses the ability to discern or notice something readily.

a stark awareness

Highlights the blunt, often unpleasant nature of the understanding.

a vivid apprehension

Highlights the clarity and intensity with which something is grasped.

a startling revelation

Focuses on the surprising nature of the discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "an acute realisation" in a sentence?

You can use "an acute realisation" to describe a sudden and intense understanding of something. For example: "She experienced "an acute realisation" of the danger they were in."

What phrases are similar to "an acute realisation"?

Similar phrases include "a sudden awareness", "a sharp understanding", and "a profound insight". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of understanding.

Is it always necessary to use 'acute' before 'realisation'?

No, using "acute" is not always necessary. "Realisation" alone is often sufficient. Use "an acute realisation" when you want to emphasize the suddenness and intensity of the understanding.

What's the difference between "an acute realisation" and "a realisation"?

"An acute realisation" suggests a sudden, powerful, and often emotional understanding. "A realisation" is a more general term for simply becoming aware of something, without necessarily implying the same intensity.